Orano and Navoiyuran have finalised an agreement to advance the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan through their joint venture (JV), Nurlikum Mining.
The deal sets the groundwork for integrating the project into Navoiyuran’s existing operations, with the Uzbekistan state-owned company assuming responsibility as the project’s operator.
As part of the agreement, Japanese conglomerate ITOCHU has acquired a minority stake in the JV.
Navoiyuran, ranked as the fifth-largest uranium producer in the world, is said to play a critical role in supplying nuclear fuel for global markets. The company specialises in extracting and processing natural uranium into uranium oxide, supporting global energy demand through exports.
With over 9,000 employees, it operates advanced facilities and employs in-situ leaching technology to enhance efficiency while mitigating environmental impact.
Orano, which is a French nuclear fuel cycle corporation, has been active in Uzbekistan since 2019 through Nurlikum Mining. It has a 51% stake in Nurlikum Mining, while Navoiyuran holds the remaining 49% stake.
The joint venture was formed to develop uranium deposits. It was granted exploration permits in In October 2020 for the North and South Djengeldi uranium sectors in the Navoi region.
The South Djengeldi project is expected to sustain production for at least a decade, with peak output anticipated at 700 metric tons of uranium annually. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Orano and Navoiyuran, formalised through a framework agreement signed with Uzbekistan in 2022.
Looking ahead, the partners intend to launch an expanded exploration programme aimed at significantly increasing the joint venture’s mineral resources, with a target of at least doubling current estimates.
